Westminster considers 'Declaration of Inclusion'
WESTMINISTER - As part of a statewide effort by the Governor and Chambers of Commerce to engage municipalities in celebrating diversity in Vermont and as a path to policies and planning to enrich all citizens., the following Declaration of Inclusion will be voted on at Westminster's Annual Town Meeting on March 2 Town Meeting:
"The Town of Westminster welcomes all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, differing ability, socio-economic status, and education.
"The Town of Westminster commits to being a place where individuals may live freely and express their opinions without fear, where kindness and respect are valued, and where all persons feel safe and welcome.
"As a town, we condemn discrimination in all its forms and will strive to ensure that all our actions, policies, and operating procedures reflect this commitment."
Anyone with questions is invited to attend an information meeting on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m., at the Westminster Institute. Local state representatives and Al Wakefield, one of the founding organizers, will be there along with Rev. Lise Sparrow and Sarah Waldo, who are working on this locally. The livestream of the meeting can be found on the town website and at us02web.zoom.us/j/84727645820.
Open house at Dummerston Historical Society
DUMMERSTON - The Dummerston Historical Society has regular open hours on the first and third Sundays of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. (weather permitting) and other times by appointment. All are invited to join them on Sunday, Feb. 18, for their next open house and to view their current exhibit, "Old Tools and Industries of Dummerston," which features tables of old tools and many photos of past industries, including farms, quarries, mills, dams, and railroads.
Future donations of historical artifacts are welcome. Those who have old photos of Dummerston are welcome to share; the items can be copied and returned. Contact Chuck Fish at [email protected] or 802-254-2554. The Historical Society, adjacent to the Town Office in Dummerston Center, is accessible, and all are invited to visit at no charge.
Workers' Center to host Health Justice Jam
BRATTLEBORO - The Vermont Workers' Center invites community members to a Health Justice Jam on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the parlor of Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St.
Organizers say the Jam will include "opportunities for people to share their experiences with the health care system and to participate in a discussion about how we can work together for a system in which everyone is able to enjoy the human right to health care. There will be information about current legislation that would expand access to Medicaid and to programs that make Medicare more affordable."
Free COVID tests and blood pressure screenings will be available, as well as community resources about access to health care. This event is free. A light meal will be served. Child care and interpretation are available by request to [email protected] or 802-257-4436.
Tai chi for fall prevention offered in Guilford
GUILFORD - Find out about why everyone is talking about the benefits of tai chi, the exercise system of slow, continuous movements that improves strength, balance, and posture.
Sessions led by instructor Leah Gessner are held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. every Thursday at Broad Brook Community Center, 3940 Guilford Center Rd. There is no charge to participate, but donations are welcome. For more information, contact Guilford Cares at 802-579-1350 or [email protected].
RFPL sponsors Classic Movie Night
BELLOWS FALLS - The Friends of the Rockingham Free Public Library (RFPL) invite all to their sponsored viewing of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers 1934 musical, The Gay Divorcee, on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Bellows Falls Opera House.
Based on a Broadway play, this film paired the famous dancing duo for the second time on screen. Released during America's Great Depression, say organizers, the film "provided much-needed relief for moviegoers and started a dance craze based on The Continental." It also introduced Cole Porter's classic "Night and Day" to accompany a dance sequence.
The Friends of the Library will be available in the lobby before the movie to sign up new members. For the first 20 paid new memberships at any level, there is an added incentive: the Hunter Art Studio has again donated a free Triple Up (a soda, popcorn, and candy package).
Rockingham hosts a Town Meeeting tutorial
BELLOWS FALLS - "Introduction to Town Meeting: How to Participate" is a public education event to be held Saturday, Feb. 24, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Rockingham Free Public Library's second floor meeting room.
The key steps for taking part in this aspect of local government will be explained. Representatives from the branches of town government will take part, and there will be time for questions and answers. To spice it up, they will present a nonbinding mock article to be decided by the people present.
"Introduction to Town Meeting: How to Participate" is open to any interested person. Participants do not need to be a registered voter or even of voting age to have their say on the mock article.
The actual Rockingham Town Meeting will take place Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m., in the Main Theater of the Bellows Falls Opera House. For this event, each participants must be a registered voter. See the Town Clerk for details.
Family Law Clinic offered on Feb. 27
BURLINGTON - Legal Services Vermont is hosting a free Family Law Clinic for low-income Vermonters on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon. It is by appointment only and space is limited. Appointments may be made by phone, video conference, or in-person in Burlington.
Lawyers will be available to answer your questions about divorce, parentage, custody, visitation, child support, and more.
Call 800-889-2047 and leave a message with name and contact number. Be sure to mention the Family Law Clinic. A Legal Services Vermont advocate will return the call to screen for eligibility and schedule the appointment.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.